I have a dream, that one day, all of the people of the world will see themselves as brothers and sisters who can take stewardship of this lovely world and all of its creatures. This is no burden and this is no crime.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that people will be able spend more time with their families and do work that is meaningful and sustainable. I have a dream that we will have a 4-day work-week.
I have a dream that children will be able to go to schools where they are challenged, cared for and engaged. Students should be able to hear their own voices within the chorus that is the community. John Dewey liked it like that, and that's good enough for me.
I have a dream that one day, everyone on the planet will be able to have clean drinking water, safe homes and healthcare.
Everybody everywhere, on the street and on the block, should trust their water. All of the world's peoples should have water that is as clean as America's.
We should all have safe homes without fear of being robbed, injured or even killed. Our children should be able to rest their heads on the pillows, at night, with joy.
Each and every person should be able to afford to wire their homes for fire, ambulance and police services.
My Song of Choice:
Title: Freedom Musician: Charles Mingus Genre: Jazz, Be Bop, Spoken Word Why: This song speaks to me because it combines elements of spoken word, jazz and blues. The spoken words are especially compelling because we hve to ask "Who is the mule?" and "Why does it matter if the mule is from Moscow or the South?" The words help place the song within the social and political events of the time.
I also like the song because is is astoundingly creative. There are elements of call and response, blues and poly-rhythm within the song -- all of which have a deep connection to African-inspired music. Right in the middle of the song, there is a terrific rhythm change as the music transitions from be bop into blues -- and then back again into be bop. Artistry!
Freedom
by Charlie Mingus
1963
This mule ain’t from Moscow.
This mule ain’t from the South.
But this mule's had some learnin'
Mostly mouth-to-mouth.
This mule could be called stubborn, and lazy,
But in a clever sorta’ way
This mule could be workin’, waitin’ and learnin’ and plannin’
For a sacred kind of day-
A day when burnin’ sticks and crosses
Is not mere child’s play,
But a madman in his most incandescent bloom
Whose lover’s soul is imperfection, in its most lustrous groom.
So stand, fast young Romeo
Soothe in contemplation
Thy burning whole and aching thigh
Your stubbornness is ever-living
And cruel anxiety is about to die.
Freedom for your daddy
Freedom for your momma
Freedom for your brothers and sisters
But no freedom for me.
Freedom for your daddy’s daddy
Freedom for your momma’s momma
Freedom for your brothers and sisters
But no freedom for me.
Freedom for your daddy’s daddy
Freedom for your momma’s momma
Freedom for your brothers and sisters
But no freedom for me.
I Have a Dream, Too!
I have a dream, that one day, all of the people of the world will see themselves as brothers and sisters who can take stewardship of this lovely world and all of its creatures. This is no burden and this is no crime.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that people will be able spend more time with their families and do work that is meaningful and sustainable. I have a dream that we will have a 4-day work-week.
I have a dream that children will be able to go to schools where they are challenged, cared for and engaged. Students should be able to hear their own voices within the chorus that is the community. John Dewey liked it like that, and that's good enough for me.
I have a dream that one day, everyone on the planet will be able to have clean drinking water, safe homes and healthcare.
Everybody everywhere, on the street and on the block, should trust their water. All of the world's peoples should have water that is as clean as America's.
We should all have safe homes without fear of being robbed, injured or even killed. Our children should be able to rest their heads on the pillows, at night, with joy.
Each and every person should be able to afford to wire their homes for fire, ambulance and police services.
My Song of Choice:
Title: FreedomMusician: Charles Mingus
Genre: Jazz, Be Bop, Spoken Word
Why: This song speaks to me because it combines elements of spoken word, jazz and blues. The spoken words are especially compelling because we hve to ask "Who is the mule?" and "Why does it matter if the mule is from Moscow or the South?" The words help place the song within the social and political events of the time.
I also like the song because is is astoundingly creative. There are elements of call and response, blues and poly-rhythm within the song -- all of which have a deep connection to African-inspired music. Right in the middle of the song, there is a terrific rhythm change as the music transitions from be bop into blues -- and then back again into be bop. Artistry!